Westmead planning is critical to growing smart jobs in Western Sydney

Release Date: 6/10/2015

The Sydney Business Chamber says the new Central Concept Design for the Westmead Redevelopment will transform the Westmead precinct (the Precinct), by putting collaboration at the heart of its strategy.

The Western Sydney Director of the Sydney Business Chamber, David Borger said, “Westmead is the largest medical division in Australia. The buildings might have been cutting edge in the 1970s but most people who use the Precinct say its potential has been undermined by poor planning and a lack of collaboration.

“There are four hospitals and four medical research entities in Westmead and this new Central Concept Design has been designed to bring all of the parties together for the first time.

“A coordinated plan for the whole precinct is required. A Westmead planning authority, that elevates the needs of the whole precinct, including traffic access, is what the region deserves.

“Now is the time to plan for the future, we need key decision makers need to understand how important the Precinct is to shifting the jobs deficit in Western Sydney.

“The Precinct has a full time workforce of over 12,000 and this is expected to more than double to 25,000 by 2036, and this is without any proper planning.

“But to really make the Precinct work, it needs significant transport solutions like better road and rail access. People don't want to work in isolated suburban campuses anymore and there is no room for more cars.

“Our region faces an enormous jobs deficit and the sort of high value high skill jobs at Westmead are critical to reducing this deficit.

“At the very least, the Precinct needs light rail access to connect it with the rest of the region.

“A Westmead planning authority seems the only feasible solution to deliver the best Precinct for the region,” said Mr Borger.